ww2letterproject

Anna turns 44.

Bill is able to return home on or near Thanksgiving then returns to Ft. Dix, hoping to get another leave for Christmas.

Eva and May are in Florida for WAC basic training.

Bill often refers to his being Irish — he was not. According to Fanny Kisling Banis her father, William “used to talk about being Irish even though he wasn’t.” Maybe it was just his way of joking or perhaps in the 1940’s it was better to pretend to be Irish rather than to admit to being of eastern European descent.

 

 

December 3, 1943 — Ft Dix, NJ

Dear Mom:

Just a short line mom to tell you hello and to say I arrived back in camp safely and have really been busy. I’ve got 15 letters here to ans. And very little time to ans. them in. I’ve got some good news. We’ll be here a while longer anyway. Had a swell time in Dayton before I left. And say did you know that damn fool Onda followed me all the way over to Eaton & back to Dayton just to get to see me. Wow I didn’t know I was a lady killer mom. She even invited me to go on a party with her. Not me mom. I haven’t got time for such things.

Besides with my old pals Ruth, Dick & Fanny along she didn’t stand a chance. I got a letter or a card I should say from Eve today. And I found a package from the Jacksons here. Sure was nice. By the way did Paw ever get his calf butchered? Hope he did. I’d sure like to be there to help him eat it. Say tell him I may have a Xmas gift for him when my package comes home. I’ll mail it this weekend. All the stuff I can’t keep. Well times getting short. So I’d better close.

Give my Love to All

Bill

PS Tell Fan & Dick that I’ll write them a letter later when I have more time.

 

December 11, 1943 — Ft Dix, NJ

Dear Mom:

I just received your telegram today and haven’t had time to open it yet. But after I catch up on my letters I will. You’re an Angel mom. You know during this time before Xmas I’m going to have an awful lot of fun and I don’t mean maybe. I’m going to town every chance I get even if I can’t do anything after I get there but sit back & twiddle my thumbs. Or look at the town. And I don’t mean maybe. Well mom don’t tell anybody but it looks like I’ll be home for Xmas. I think I’ll send for Ardis when I find out for sure. Well how’s everyone at home these days. And how’s the weather there. Cold I suppose. Here it’s colder than blazes.

Give my regards to the kids mom & Dad and I’ll make this short cause I’ve got about 20 letters to write yet. Hey tell Dad I finally got down to Dago town to [see] some folks. One of my buddies had a couple of us guys over to his home. And I’ll swear these Dago (Italians) are sure some people.

Well bye now

Lots of Love to all

Bill

PS Mom I sent you some pictures but later on maybe about Xmas you get the proof from an 8 x 10 photo. It’s all paid for and all I want you to send and get another print like it to send to Ardis. Will you watch for this and take care of it for me. The one is for you & dad & the others for Ardis.
Bye now

 

December 16, 1943 — Ft Dix, NJ

Dear Mom:

Just a line Mom to all of you to tell you that I received you swell letter and enjoyed it very much. So the weather is quite cold there is it, well it can’t really be called warm here. And I’m not kidding either. Gee this wind that comes off the ocean certainly carries a lot of chill with it. I think it was 18 degrees here last night, but, it [was] warm last night considering what it has been. Well last night I managed to go to a dance and did I have a swell time. The gals were all beautiful as usual and the music plenty sweet & hot. Tell Fan she’d sure get a laugh if she could see me cutting a rug. Sometimes I really get ambitious and make my heals click. Anyway I had a good time.

Don’t mind me dating my letters ahead of time mom because I write in such a hurry sometimes that I forget what I’m even trying to say. You know I haven’t had time to give Xmas a thought these days. It doesn’t even interest me this year as far as being enthusiastic over it as a Holy Day because I’ve got more important things to think about. Give my Yule tide greetings to Mr Quinn and all my friends & relatives that you meet.

How are Dad and Dick getting along these days. Fine I hope. Tell Grampa I said hello when you see him again. So Velma is going down to see Abe is she. Well let her go. He’ll probably be there a lot longer then he thinks he will. I’ve forgotten his address. Don’t worry about what I sent Dad. It was all OK. Say that Italian wine is ok, mom. Only Ardis would probably give me heck if she knew I drank any. More than likely she’d never say a word but I know how she feels about liquor so that’s my main reason for not using it any more. She’ll make a good soldier out of me yet. Say mom when that big photograph comes don’t forget to have one made and sent to Ardis for me. They’ll be colored.

Well mom times a wastin so Lots of Love and Happy Holiday greetings to all

Bill

 

December 22, 1943 — Ft Dix, NJ

Dear Mom & all:

Just a line mom to tell you that I am fine& dandy enjoying life as well as can be expected. Am making a chow hound of myself in the good eats I’m getting. Gee you know it’s almost Xmas sure wish I could be there for a big dinner but, business is to rushing so you’ll have to excuse me this time. Well tell me mom how is Abe doing in the paratroopers and are Eve & May still rookies or do they consider themselves well seasoned troops. I haven’t time to write to all of them. So you tell them I said hello when you write.

Did you ever get the large 8×10 photos I sent home from Philadelphia when you get it be sure to have one made for Ardis. I haven’t heard from her for a few days. Sure hope I get one soon. How are the kids these days. Best of Holiday Greetings to them & I’ll be seeing them around.

As always I still want to know how the old farmer is coming along these days (Dad). I’ll be looking for some good old fried chicken when I get home again so see that he raises a good crop next year. Well better be closing, mom. As ever the same old love & Happy Holiday Greetings to all

Lots of Love

Bill

 

December 30, 1943

Dear Mom

Just a line to say hello to all, mother. And how is everyone at home these days. Fine I hope. Are the kids well & Dad. How is school coming along these days. Is the weather cold and did you have snow for Xmas or was it rain. I hope you have a very wonderful Christmas this year. I know the kids enjoyed it. Was Ruth over for the Holiday. I’ll bet she was I can’t see her missing a Holiday at home unless she has to. I hope my Christmas greetings reached everyone. O.k. And here’s wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. From a fighting yank.

Have you seen any of [the] Jackson’s lately. If so tell them said hello. And give my Best Regards to Grandpa and all the rest. Hey had Abe received his wings yet. Pass on my congratulations. I’ve lost his address again so I can’t write. And say mom tell Dad I’ll send him some money one of these days and I want him to get me a full carton of double edge razor blades, I can’t get them here. Have you received my picture yet. And if so how did it turn out. I hope it was O.k. Oh yes, I received a letter from Eve today and she send me a picture of a few of the kids they train with. It was great and I got a letter from Ardis today. Did I tell you she sent me a beautiful wrist band name plate with my name and a swell leather billfold. She’s great mom.

Well I have to be getting along. This censor is going to be wearing glasses before he’s thru learning to read this scratching of mine. So always with the same old love to all.

Bill